Part 10

The rain poured down on Roswell. The night was cold with the chill wind but Max Evans barely noticed any of this as he stood across the street from the Crash Down, staring inside.

It was past closing time but he couldn't make himself leave. It had been more than a week since Liz's death but he still couldn't get his mind around the fact that she was gone. He still expected her to come bounding up to him with that smile on her face, he still looked over his shoulder in school, expecting to see her any second. In biology her seat was hauntingly vacant.

Max let the rain mingle with his tears as he watched Maria wipe the floor, lost in her thoughts while Michael did the register. He knew it was hardest for Maria. She was being so strong for him and the others. She came to the Crash Down everyday to help out the Parkers until they hired someone else. Max himself couldn't bring himself to enter the alien themed café just yet. It was just too soon.

But that didn't stop him from standing outside the café every night after it had closed down, watching Maria and Michael close up each night. Every night as he watched them, he remembered how Liz had done the same. How he had always watched her. He remembered the time when she had invited him in once and they had danced, holding each other close.

"It feels different doesn't it?" he heard Tess's voice from behind him.

He turned around, startled, not having heard her approach. Tess gave him a small, sad smile as she too watched Maria and Michael.

"It doesn't seem right." She said.

"No, it doesn't." Max agreed softly, his heart aching with a dull throb.

"You loved her so much…" Tess said. "Just like you once loved me."

"Tess, please…"Max whispered, not wanting to start an argument.

"Oh, no…I didn't mean it like that Max." Tess protested. Seeing the dubious look on his face she lowered her eyes apologetically. "I mean it Max. That day at the Crash Down…I-I don't know what came over me."

She looked back at Max who was watching her intently. "I didn't mean to sound hurtful. I just wanted to help you come to terms with the news, not implicate anything." She told him.

Max just listened to her talk, not saying anything. He wasn't sure what to believe from her. She sounded so honest right now…but that day she was so cruel and harsh.

"Max," Tess said softly. "I'm really sorry about the things I said that day. I really am. I mean Liz was my friend too."

"So are they." Max replied, jerking his head towards Michael and Maria. "You didn't have to put them through that."

Tess looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry Max. How can I make you believe that I am sorry for what I said?" Tess asked.

Max turned away from her, staring determinedly ahead. "Please leave Tess." Max asked quietly.

Tess looked at Max in dismay before she nodded. She backed away from him but then turned around and said. "I'm still here for you. If you—you know want to talk or something."

She then headed back the way she came. Max stood there for a few minutes, letting the memories wash over him. He watched as Maria sat down in a booth, face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. He saw Michael pull her into a comforting hug. Max turned away and headed back home. He didn't want to be reminded of how everyone was hurting just as badly as him.

TBC…